I could hear the whistling of the wind as it raced in wisps.
There it stood with its doors wide open, shrouded by a mist of smoke created by several, smoking their last cigarettes in preparation for the events which lay ahead of them.
We entered, the solicitor and I. Paisley Sheriff Court.
I glanced at my watch. Twenty past ten. My eyes darted around the open space. I’d never felt so intimidated by a room before, by a shiny floor that glared up at me, by heels that clicked in an orderly fashion, by black cloaks that engulfed their temporary owners and dragged them into the persona of death eaters.
I have never been in a court before. In fact, the closest I have ever come to the experience is by watching the American romcom ‘Legally Blonde’. Nevertheless, I’ve always been fascinated in unravelling the methods of fighting for justice, and I was in the prime position to find out.
We headed for Court 9 and I was told to wait outside. My feet shifted uneasily beneath me. A set of double doors stared back at me in an intense locking of eyes. Suddenly, they swung open.
“Jenna if you’d like to go through here...”
I nodded, a smile stretching across my lips. I paced past her into court.
Chairs sat, blue with fuzzy cushions and plastic backs. At the front, protected by a brief barrier, was a congregation of black gowns. The sheriff’s position was risen above the rest at a wooden bench. A large desk designed to endure collaborative discussions stood below, surrounded by half a dozen chairs, where the black gowns perched.
I turned to observe the young lady striding through the doors in high black heels. Her carefully manicured hands held several files. Another black gown, swamping her neat skirt beneath. Obviously, she was a solicitor rep...
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...der the spotlight. I shift left, uncomfortable at such a thought. It was as if somebody had suddenly fuelled my train of thought and a pang of empathy rang through me as I considered the very situation in which everybody in this vast building was thrust under. The situation of the tall girl with the striding steps and perfect posture. The situation of the boy with the audacious demeanour.
My perception of the world has now shifted as I acknowledge the blazing spotlight every individual being on this earth is thrown beneath, every single day. And there’s been an abdication! That congregation of black gowns can be deemed no better than the four youths I witnessed.
“So, how was that? A sufficient ending for your work experience?”
I nodded, and the solicitor I had been shadowing for the past week and I strolled back to her car, discussing the antics of everyday court.
In conclusion, finding out the truth, the facts, and the goal of justice should be the main purpose of any civil case. Sadly, the judicial process gets in the way. The legal system becomes unjust and in some cases, justice is never served. Seeing the story unfold and reading about the struggle between wealth and power and justice is exciting, yet saddening. The book matters and should be read by all, from people who are studying the legal system to people who are not. It is an emotional and engaging book. It can’t be forgotten. One man can make the biggest difference and finding the truth is much more fulfilling than any riches.
The deathly ringing of the clock resonated throughout the chambers and faded away like they always had. But this time, the festivities did not flare back to life, for the new figure had control over the attention of everyone. This unique figure was shrouded in a robe as black as a void that covered all of his body except for his face, which was concealed by a peculiar mask. Contrary to the darkness of the robes, the lean mask was a pure, ghostly white with two blood red, curved lines, thicker at the top of the mask and thinner towards the bottom, through the eyes which were void holes. The air around him was cold and stale, like death lingered around him, waiting for its next victim. From the outskirts of the crowd, he moved in closer to the revelers, with each step echoing unnaturally loud. People shuffled away from him, afraid some terrible fate may befall them if they get close in proximity to him, as he strolled toward some unknown destination.
Civilrights.org. (2002, April 13). Justice on trial. Washington, DC: Leadership Conference on Civil Rights/Leadership Conference on Civil RightsEducation Fund. Retrieved April 12, 2005, from Civilrights.org Web site: http://www.civilrights.org/publications/reports/cj/
When the emotions of lifelong bitterness and disappoint emerge from verdict of a court case something is profoundly wrong. The American justice system is not completely designed to serve justice but instead it gives attorneys an attempt to use creative ways to manipulate the everyday individuals involved in a jury into thinking they are fighting for the truth. From the time the process of voir dire begins the game
Justice was dilatory, expensive, uncertain, and remote. To the rich it was a costly lottery: to the poor a denial of right, or certain ruin. The class who might profit most by its dark mysteries were the lawyers themselves. (Plucknett 73)
This problem affects everyone, but only benefits four types of people; the judges, the lawyers, the clients paying thousands more to the lawyers to win their case, and the police. Judges today are not playing fair, and they are accepting bribes from equally corrupt lawyers that are desperate to win a case and improve their case winnings over their losses. The lawyers are asking for more money from the clients so that they can secretly hand over cash to the lawyers and ask for “favors” in the courtroom. With all of this injustice, comes fear implanted in the client, who is then willing to spend more on a lawyer to guarantee their success in a case; “fear and injustice equals more money for lawyers and judges”(Sachs).
The following assertion intends to provide an in-depth insight into my personal experience observing a trial in the Supreme Court of Victoria. This paper will outline a selection of many pressing issues noticed throughout my observation, more specifically those regarding the law and language in legal arenas along with symbolic and architectural traditions that reinforce prejudice towards those from a low socio-economic background and ethnic minority groups. Furthermore, it will argue how symbolism, architecture and practices within a court are in place to create a power dynamic and reinforce the courts British-'western' sovereignty and royal-like wealth which in turn intimidates members of the community especially from ethnically diverse or disadvantaged groups. I intend to demonstrate the power and authority of judges and the courts by drawing comparisons between the judges status in a court room with royalty and religious pastors, through the observation of attire, title and actual positioning in a court room.
Throughout the years there has been limitless legal cases presented to the court systems. All cases are not the same. Some cases vary from decisions that are made by a single judge, while other cases decisions are made by a jury. As cases are presented they typically start off as disputes, misunderstandings, or failure to comply among other things. It is possible to settle some cases outside of the courts, but that does require understanding and cooperation by all parties involved. However, for those that are not so willing to settle out of court, they eventually visit the court system. The court system is not in existence to cause humiliation for anyone, but more so to offer a helping hand from a legal prospective. At the same time, the legal system is not to be abuse. or misused either.
people in these 21st century society wonder, “When is Justice to be done?” For district attorneys,
These courts are often complex, involve new partnerships, new roles, and of course new players both in and outside the courthouse. It is important to understand that each problem-solving court will be shaped by local circumstances. As such, problem-solving justice remains as much an uncharted territory today as when it was first introduced.
“Witness for the Prosecution” superbly demonstrated a realist view of the operating procedures in a courtroom. The actors within the courtroom were easy to identify, and the steps transitioned smoothly from the arrest to the reading of the verdict. The murder trial of Leonard Vole provided realistic insight into how laws on the books are used in courtroom proceedings. With the inferior elements noted, the superior element of the court system in “Witness for the Prosecution” was the use of the adversary system. Both sides of the adversary system were flawlessly protrayed when the prosecution and defense squared off in the courtroom.
At last I arrived, unmolested except for the rain, at the hefty decaying doors of the church. I pushed the door and it obediently opened, then I slid inside closing it surreptitiously behind me. No point in alerting others to my presence. As I turned my shoulder, my gaze was held by the magnificence of the architecture. It never fails to move me. My eyes begin by looking at the ceiling, and then they roam from side to side and finally along the walls drinking in the beauty of the stained glass windows which glowed in the candle light, finally coming to rest on the altar. I slipped into the nearest pew with the intention of saying a few prayers when I noticed him. His eyes were fixated upon me. I stared at the floor, but it was too late, because I was already aware that he wasn’t one of the priests, his clothes were all wrong and his face! It seemed lifeless. I felt so heavy. My eyes didn’t want to obey me. Neither did my legs. Too late I realised the danger! Mesmerised, I fell asleep.
Some people say that by watching the court system in action, what once was very unknown and unfamiliar, has now become familiar and useful in helping people become more knowledgeable of what happens inside courtrooms. Most people have not been in a courtrooms and only have the perspective that T.V. gives to them. Now they are able to see what really goes on and now can better understand and relate.
The courtroom is a place where cases are heard and deliberated as evidence is produced to prove whether the accused person is innocent or guilty. Different courtroom varies depending on the hierarchy and the type of cases, they deliberate upon in the courtroom. In the United States, the courts are closely interlinked through a hierarchical system at either the state or the federal level. Therefore, the court must have jurisdiction before it takes upon a case, deliberate, and come up with a judgment on it. The criminal case is different from the civil cases, especially when it comes to the court layout. In this essay, I will explain how I experienced a courtroom visit and the important issues are learnt from the visit.
Farther down the hall I hear voices. The general court is in session. Inside the